Croda acquires Enza Biotech

Specialty chemicals company Croda has acquired Enza Biotech, a research enterprise set up as an offshoot project of Lund University in Sweden.

The newly acquired company is researcher-led, aiming to develop the ‘next generation’ of renewable surfactants using carbohydrate-based chemistry, according to Croda.

The move will bolster both innovation for Enzo Biotech’s new parent company, and its profile for sustainability.

Through this acquisition, Enza Biotech’s patented technology will enhance Croda’s well-established natural and renewable product portfolio to offer their customers, particularly in the Personal Care, Crop Care and Health Care markets, the sustainable ingredients they are looking for to satisfy the demands of consumers,” says the company.

Joining the team

The researchers that have led the work of Enza Biotech now come on board as Croda employees, says the company. This includes co-founders Maria Andersson and Stefan Ulvenlund, and their team.

They will oversee the commercialisation of their work going forward, tapping into Croda’s technical and formulation capabilities, as well as its global supply chain and sales force.

New tech to hit the market

Croda’s aim for the acquisition is centred on bringing new tech from the team to market, it says. The Enza Biotech team’s novel range of surfactants has been proven to offer differentiated performance benefits across many applications, such as emulsification, wetting and dispersion.

“Enza Biotech offers a fantastic opportunity for us to fill an identified technology gap in the surfactants market using natural and renewable raw materials,” Steve Foots, Chief Executive of Croda, explains.

“It is a great fit as sustainability underpins our growth strategy and is an area that already sets us apart in the eyes of our customers.”

Maria Andersson, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Enza Biotech said: “Croda is the perfect fit for our technology due to their commitment to investing in innovative and sustainable solutions.

"With their proven track record in bringing new technologies to market and strong customer relationships, we are confident Enza Biotech will have a bright future. We look forward to working with the Croda team and the new opportunities that will bring.”